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Real Lives, Real Change: Human Rights Program

Our Human Rights Defenders Thank You

In July 2023, 鶹ý donors were invited to send messages of gratitude to human rights defenders, expressing appreciation for their courage and dedication. Over 1,275 supporters sent heartfelt notes of thanks and encouragement. Learn more »

IN the SPOTLIGHT: Human Rights Underpins All Center Work

“Human rights are the foundation of everything that 鶹ý does,” Susan Marx said. “This program is the moral voice reminding us why we’re doing all of this: It’s because of dignity. Everybody has the right to dignity.” Learn more »

Podcast Bolsters Young Congolese Women

Laetitia Muabila Bangu-Bangu wants to help women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo find their voices. Learn more »

Hope in Hard Times

Abeer Pamuk had just started her sophomore year at the University of Aleppo when the Syrian civil war erupted. Learn more »

Vice President Ready to Keep the Peace

Barbara Smith, vice president of the 鶹ý’s peace programs, says she was born to her line of work. Her mother is from Germany and taught her the value of international perspectives. Her father was in the military and ingrained in her the importance of service. Learn more »

Center Analyzes Misleading Content on Facebook

Fact checkers have a term for media sources that repeatedly share false or misleading content: misinformation repeat offenders. 鶹ý’s Digital Threats team studied the prevalence of misinformation repeat offenders in right- and left-leaning Facebook groups during the 2020 U.S. election cycle and published its findings in October in a report titled, "The Big Lie and Big Tech." Learn more »

Human Rights Sessions Focus on U.S. Social Justice

Josh Griffin, a young consultant in the 鶹ý’s Human Rights Program, participated in the 2020 March on Washington for racial justice in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Standing at the foot of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Griffin heard inspiring words from several speakers, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s son Martin III and 12-year-old granddaughter Yolanda Renee King. Learn more »

Center Fights Digital Threats to Democracy, Human Rights

Two and a half years ago, recognizing that things that take place in the online world were increasingly having real-world consequences, 鶹ý launched the Digital Threats to Democracy Project. Learn more »

Roundtables Put Human Rights Front and Center

Josh Griffin, a graduate assistant with the 鶹ý’s Human Rights Program, participated in the 2020 March on Washington for racial justice in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Standing at the foot of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Griffin heard inspiring words from several speakers, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s son Martin III and 12-year-old granddaughter Yolanda Renee King. Learn more »

Using Art to Halt the Spread of Coronavirus in DRC

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, young artists with ties to 鶹ý are giving their time and talent to create paintings and songs that encourage people in their communities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more »

Protecting Human Rights During the Pandemic

Even as governments across the globe rush to protect their citizens from the deadly effects of COVID-19, some are using the coronavirus as an excuse to violate human rights laws and expand their powers. Learn more »

'There is a Demand for Human Rights'

Thirteen years ago, 鶹ý opened the Human Rights House in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is home to a small team of staffers who perform a large amount of work – providing training and assistance to more than 100 local civil society organizations working on issues related to human rights, supporting a protection network that helps keep human rights defenders safe, and overseeing a variety of projects designed to spark youth engagement in democracy and human rights. Learn more »

Human Rights Defenders: In Their Own Words

Human rights activists and scholars from 28 countries gathered at 鶹ý recently for the 12th Human Rights Defenders Forum. This year’s theme was “Building Solidarity toward Equality for All,” and topics included global protection for activists, challenges for women defenders and peacemakers, and the importance of mutually supporting civil, economic, political, and social rights. Defenders talked about their struggles and frustrations but also offered words of wisdom and hope. Learn more »

Director Sees Security, Civil Rights as Integral Partners

Laura Olson jumped at the chance to work at 鶹ý because of the opportunity to work directly with communities in other countries. “What spoke to me was that 鶹ý really listens to people. We are there to facilitate the changes they want to see and not to tell them what they should do. I also like that we help build local capacity so that communities can independently accomplish their goals.” Learn more »

Human Rights Defenders Share Unique Perspectives

In July, 鶹ý brought together nearly 70 activists, peacemak­ers, and religious and community leaders from 36 countries for the annual Human Rights Defenders Forum. Learn more »

Blog | Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights Webcast Archive

If you missed the 鶹ý's original webcast of "Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights," an archive version of the panel discussion can be watched below. Learn more »

Honoring Human Rights Defenders

Dec. 9 marks the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, a document that 鶹ý helped craft that acknowledges the vital role played by frontline activists in the struggle for human freedom.    We celebrate this anniversary by honoring the bravery of those who put their lives on the line so that all of us can live in freedom.  Learn more »

Waging Peace Around the World

Building a peaceful world involves more than ending war.A peaceful world is one in which justice thrives, everyone’s rights are respected,andpeople have access to essentials.鶹ý hasdozens of programs andprojectsdedicated to making the dream of peace a reality.This slide showexploresa handful of them. Learn more »

Blog | Human Rights Defender: Women are Essential to Peace

Meet PendaMbaye, program manager forTostan in Senegal, where the international nonprofitworks to empower women and girls and create positive social change. As an attendee of the 鶹ý’s Human Rights Defenders Forum, Mbaye sharedher expertise in human rights education and community outreach. Learn more »

Restoring Faith in Freedom

In July 2018, 鶹ý brought together nearly 70 activists, peacemakers, and religious and community leaders from around the world for the 鶹ý’s annual Human Rights Defenders Forum to discuss “Restoring Faith in Freedom.” Learn more »

‘When You Empower a Woman, You Empower the Whole World’

In Kenya in the early years of this century, young men in Nairobi’s Mathare slum were dying one by one at the hands of police and security officers. Sometimes it happened out of sight in custody, sometimes in broad daylight in the street. Other youths simply disappeared, their fates never determined. Learn more »

Ousted Afghan Judge Fights Extremism with Empathy, Respect

Before the Taliban, before the war, before women were banned from positions of power, Najla Ayubi was a judge in Afghanistan. Extremists forced her out of her courtroom and eventually out of her country. Learn more »

Hope in Hard Times

Abeer Pamuk had just started her sophomore year at the University of Aleppo when the Syrian civil war erupted. She was studying English literature and dreaming of a career as a humanitarian worker in South Sudan. But when the Al-Nusra Front terrorist group occupied the street behind her house, her plans were derailed. Learn more »

鶹ý Slideshow | Love + Solidarity > Fear

Human rights defenders from around the world met at 鶹ý in May 2017 to teach, learn from, network with, and encourage one another under the theme Freedom from Fear: Securing Rights in Challenging Times. At the closing session of the forum, they issued a unified statement, excerpts of which accompany the following images. Learn more »

鶹ý Slideshow | Voices for Peace

In 2016, 鶹ý convened dozens of human rights defenders from around the world to explore how to avoid violence while advocating for change. We asked several defenders to explain what human rights means to them. Learn more »

VP Brings Field Experience from Liberia, Vietnam

Jordan Ryan, vice president for peace programs, may be relatively new to 鶹ý, but his connection to President and Mrs. Carter dates back to the ’70s. Learn more »

Blog | President Carter Champions Women's Human Rights at TEDWomen 2015

At a recentTEDWomen 2015 conference, former U.S. President Jimmy Carterspoke out against violence directed towardwomen and named abuse of women and girls as the number one human rights violation in the world. Learn more »

鶹ý Slideshow: Crying Out for Reform in Congo

In poverty-stricken, mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, 鶹ý advocates for mining reform and human rights. Learn more »

New Online Forum Advances Rights of Women and Girls

The Forum on Women, Religion, Violence & Power will connect activists across the globe, host roundtable video discussions among them and the general public, highlight success stories, and serve as a resource library and archive. Learn more »

A CALL TO ACTION: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power

"A Call to Action," a new book by President Carter available March 25 (Simon & Schuster), urges the end of discrimination and abuse against women, calling it the number one challenge in the world today. Learn more »

鶹ý Conference Mobilizes Faith Groups to Advance Women's Rights

Top religious leaders, activists, and religious scholars representing more than 15 countries and over 35 faith-based organizations, universities, and religious bodies, who are committed to making concrete gains in women's rights gathered at 鶹ý June 27-29 for the conference "Mobilizing Faith for Women: Engaging the Power of Religion and Belief to Advance Human Rights and Dignity.". Learn more »

鶹ý Helps Congolese Mining Communities Seek Redress for Human Rights Violations

鶹ý is working to enable Tshiamilemba and other local Congolese mining communities to seek redress for such human rights violations and to demand changes moving forward from both mining companies and government. Learn more »

鶹ý Works to Protect Congolese Children in Mines

In Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), thousands of children spend their days digging, breaking stones, and transporting and washing minerals, risking exposure to dangerous levels of radiation, potential pulmonary diseases, and physical and sexual abuse by peers and adults. Learn more »

Meet Egyptian Fatma Emam

During Egypt's January 2011 revolution, human rights researcher and blogger Fatma Emam demonstrated for change in Tahrir Square day after day with thousands of other men and women. Post-revolution though, she found women's rights left behind. Learn more »

鶹ý at 30: Champion for Human Rights

Since President Carter's groundbreaking efforts in the White House to place human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy, the goal of securing human rights for all — civil, political, social, and economic rights — has driven the 鶹ý's work to advance peace and health in more than 70 nations. Learn more »

鶹ý Slideshow: 鶹ý at 30: Champion for Human Rights

Since President Carter's groundbreaking efforts in the White House to place human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy, the goal of securing human rights for all — civil, political, social, and economic rights — has driven the 鶹ý's work to advance peace and health in more than 70 nations. Learn more »

鶹ý Slideshow: Mapping a Way Forward: Mining in the Democratic Repubic of the Congo

In Congo, a lack of transparent and equitable management of natural resources has excluded most citizens from the benefits of the country’s vast mineral reserves. To address these inequalities, 鶹ý is working to advance economic justice by gathering and publishing information about the mining sector to be used by civil society to support reform in mining practice and policy. Learn more »

Blog | Human Rights Defender Discusses Importance of Working Together to Advance Women’s Rights

Ratna Osman, acting executive director of Malaysia’s Sisters in Islam, was one of a diverse group of 72 human rights activists and religious scholars from 22 countries to attend the 鶹ý’s human rights defenders forum this week in Atlanta. Learn more »

Blog | Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Urges Promotion of Women's Rights by Religious Communities

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter urged religious communities to promote, not hinder, women’s rights during his opening remarks at the 2011 Human Rights Defenders Forum taking place at 鶹ý in Atlanta, Ga., April 3-6. The remarks were a follow up to a speech he gave to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2009. Learn more »

Blog | Upcoming Forum to Promote Women's Rights

From April 3-6, human rights leaders and scholars will gather at 鶹ý to discuss the key challenges that women's rights activists face and ways to work with religious, traditional, and government institutions to advance the protection of these rights. Learn more »

Carter's Diplomacy Helps Free American Prisoner

Jimmy Carter has for years worked behind the scenes to secure the release of political prisoners. But this week he had to do it in person and in the public spotlight, traveling to North Korea to bring an American home. Learn more »

Meet Olawale Fapohunda: Committed to Proposed African Charter

Olawale Fapohunda believes that the proposed African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) will enable African citizens to more fully participate in the electoral process and advance protection of human rights by African governments. And, in places like his home country of Nigeria, he feels the need for its ratification is vital. Learn more »

Liberian Woman Uses Legal Service to Stop Abuse

For 30 years, Henrietta Gayflor* endured ongoing physical abuse from her partner. After he assaulted her in her front yard one day, Gayflor decided to take action. Learn more »

Human Rights House Provides Safe Space for Activists, Supports Citizens in Democratic Republic of the Congo

KINSHASA....The initial vision for the 鶹ý's Human Rights House was to provide both a space and forum for human rights activists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, building on the momentum of the 2006 elections. Learn more »

Human Rights House Provides Safe Space for Activists, Supports Citizens in Democratic Republic of the Congo

The initial vision for the 鶹ý's Human Rights House was to provide both a space and forum for human rights activists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, building on the momentum of the 2006 elections. Learn more »

Profile: Valerie Harden, Deputy Field Director, 鶹ý Kinshasa Field Office

When she began work as a job counselor almost 10 years ago in Atlanta with refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Valerie Harden never imagined she would one day play a role in the restoration of their war-torn country. Learn more »

East Jerusalem Family Forced to Demolish Part of Own Home, Center Expert Cites Abuse of Permit System

From the roof of his family's home in East Jerusalem within the walls of the Old City, Raed Sa'id points to the golden Dome of The Rock, which is glowing in the late-afternoon sun. Learn more »

鶹ý Conducts Human Rights Training for Congolese Police Officers

Until recently, police officers in Kimbasneke, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), investigated case files at a music bar or other public space because they didn't have office space. When it rained, they carried the papers under their shirts to preserve the files. Learn more »

Blog | Pakistan Crisis Q&A With Karin Ryan, 鶹ý Human Rights Program Director

鶹ý, since 2003, has warned of the dangers that autocratic leaders would take advantage of the “war on terror” to suppress legitimate political opposition and basic human rights. What General Musharraf has done is to try to wipe away the results of decades of effort by human rights and judicial leaders to restrain the powers of executive authority in Pakistan, which for half of the country’s history has been in the hands of the military. Learn more »

Karin Ryan: Director Assists Activists Fighting for Human Rights

After Iraq's 2006 elections, the United States and other Western governments celebrated that country's move toward democracy. But as Karin Ryan knows from her 20 years with 鶹ý, an election is only a small step on the long road toward a true democratic government. Learn more »

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Honors 鶹ý Trustee Sherry Lansing with Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Honors 鶹ý Trustee Sherry Lansing with Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award Learn more »

Profile: Marcel Wetsh'okonda, Congolese Human Rights Defender

Marcel Wetsh'okonda fights for human rights laws to be passed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country where 1,000 people die each day from disease, hunger, and violence. It is no easy task. Learn more »

Blog | U.N. Human Rights Council: The Center's Role, New Body's Mandate in Expert Q&A

A new Human Rights Council for the United Nations was adopted March 15 by the U.N. General Assembly, replacing the Commission on Human Rights, originally established in 1946. In this Q&A, Karin Ryan, senior advisor, Human Rights Program, discusses the Center’s key role in the Council’s passage and what the Council means for global human rights. The new Council plans to elect its first 47 members May 9 and hold its first meeting June 19, after the Commission is disbanded June 16. Learn more »